The finalists for the Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) 2026 have been announced, recognising some of the UK’s most accomplished Black professionals, entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Now in its 13th year, the BBBAwards has become one of the UK’s leading platforms celebrating Black excellence in business, honouring both established senior leaders and rising stars across a broad range of industries. This year’s finalists were described by judges as “visionary”, “inspirational” and “dynamic”, reflecting the growing influence of Black talent across the British economy.
The 2026 BBBAwards awards span eight categories: STEM, Fashion, Beauty and Consumer, Arts and Media, Entrepreneurs, Financial Services, Professional Services, and the newly introduced Retail and Hospitality category, recognising the expanding contribution of Black professionals across every sector.
#SHINE: CELEBRATING VISIBILITY AND IMPACT
The theme for this year’s awards is #SHINE, highlighting the brilliance, visibility and impact of Black professionals and entrepreneurs across the UK. BBBAwards Chair and Executive Founder Dr Sophie Chandauka MBE said the awards have never been more important.
“At a time when many organisations face increasing complexity in how they champion, recognise and advance Black talent, platforms that visibly celebrate Black leadership and success are more important than ever,” shared Chandauka. “As the space for spotlighting Black talent becomes more contested, the mission of the Black British Business Awards is not only relevant – it is vital.”
She also stressed the crucial role of allies in creating lasting change. “Recognition alone is not enough. The difference between momentum and retreat lies with allies who are willing to lend their credibility to those who deserve to shine.”
BBBAWARDS 2026 FINALISTS
The Black British Business Awards 2026 finalists, by category, include:
Arts and Media
Rising Star
- Femi Bello, Creative Director, Femi Worldwide
- Sheniece Charway, Artist Partnership Manager [EMEA], YouTube/Google
- Bonita Samuels, Senior Associate Director – Inclusive Planning & Culture Lead, WPP Media
Senior Leader
- Akama Davies, General Manager, The Trade Desk
- Nana Fifield, Director of Technology, Amazon Prime Video
- Amie Parker-Williams, Director, Digital Commissioning & Production, Paramount
Fashion, Beauty and Consumer
Rising Star
- Sarah Harry-Isaacs, Freelance Senior Art Director, Estée Lauder Companies
- Yasmin O’Neal, Senior Director for Global Brand and Impact, DECIEM
- Karimah Reid-Bailey, Senior Product Brand Manager, L’Oréal
Senior Leader
- Oyin Akiniyi, Global Brand Director – Content, Campaigns, Partnerships, Chivas Regal (Pernod Ricard)
- Samori Gambrah, Global Convenience Director, Diageo
- Andrea Thompson: Journalist, Brand Consultant & Former Editor-in-Chief, Marie Claire UK
Entrepreneur
Rising Star
- Abdul Bangura, CEO, ALAC Group
- Jesse Owusu, CEO and Co-Founder, CORD
- Dr. Elsa Zekeng, Founder & CEO, SökerData
Senior Leader
- Rachel Allison, CEO, Axe + Saw
- Robbie Lyle, Founder & CEO, GFN Limited
- Antonia Okonma Shittu, Founder & CEO, A-List Lace Hair
Financial Services
Rising Star
- Nana Agyemang, Proposition Delivery Manager, Barclays
- Carlos Davies, EMEA Head of Secured Funding and Collateral Optimization Trading, Morgan Stanley
- David King, Associate Relationship Manager, Wellington Management International
- Rio Stedford, Investment Product Strategy Director, St James’s Place
Senior Leader
- Henry Odogwu, Senior Managing Director – Head of EMEA Institutional Sales, MFS Investment Management
- Christopher Ononye, Managing Director: Chief Auditor – Risk Management & Compliance, HR & Corporate Responsibility, JPMorganChase
- Melissa Max-Macarthy, Managing Director, Head of Retail Strategy, Retail Banking, Formerly NatWest
Professional Services
Rising Star
- Michael Obiri-Darko, Senior Associate, Clifford Chance LLP
- Jack Van Cooten, Senior Manager – External Vendors & Data, Oliver Marsh
- Quanisha Virginie, Digital Engagement & Content Executive, Kantar
Senior Leader
- Belinda Djamson, AI Expert
- Lola Godwin, Operations and Commercial Director, KPMG LLP
- Laurie-Anne Power KC, Barrister, 25 Bedford Row
Retail and Hospitality
Rising Star
- Ahmed Abdalla, Head Chef
- Rickey Devonish, Head of Apprenticeships and Emerging Talent, JD Group
- Yasu Pola-Samuels, Pr. Partnerships & Energy Marketing Manager – UK & EMEA, Dr. Martens
Senior Leader
- Tolù Adẹ̀kọ́, Founder and Creative Director, Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co Ltd
- Didier Agueh, Brand Artistic Director, PPHE
- Leona De Graft, VP Global Ecommerce, Levi Strauss and Co.
STEM
Rising Star
- Promise Akwaowo, Automation and AI Practitioner, Royal Mail Group
- Francis Nwofor, Cloud & AI Platforms Specialist, Microsoft
- Maciah Smith, Innovation and Strategic Technology Roadmapping Analyst, Johnson Matthey
Senior Leader
- Henry Amadiegwu, PhD, Chief Information Officer, Zenith Bank UK
- Naomi Walkland, Chief Marketing Officer, Motorway
- Eustace Xavier, Finance Director, Technical Services, Mitie PLC
WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN OCTOBER
The winners and runners-up will be announced at a gala ceremony at London’s Hilton Park Lane on 9 October, presented by JPMorganChase, with senior figures from British business, investors and industry leaders in attendance.
One finalist will also be named Black British Business Person of the Year, joining an impressive list of previous recipients including Yvonne Kunihira-Davidson (S&P Global), Pamela Maynard (Microsoft) and Aaron Lynch (Netflix).
DRIVING INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE
The BBBAwards continues to attract strong backing from major employers and corporate partners, with sponsors including AlixPartners, Baker McKenzie, Barclays, Bloomberg, Diageo, The Financial Times, Goldman Sachs, JD Group, L’Oréal, Macquarie, Morgan Stanley, Ralph Lauren, Standard Chartered and Wellington Management.
Held annually during UK Black History Month, the awards ceremony brings together around 600 business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors and allies committed to advancing diversity, inclusion and commercial excellence. Since launching in 2014, the Black British Business Awards has recognised outstanding Black talent while encouraging organisations to build more inclusive, high-performing workplaces across the UK.
For more information about the BBBAwards, click here.
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